Lifelong Learning Grants

The Lifelong Learning Grants program is administered by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, a state agency established in 1968 to support and invest in the arts across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commission distributes funding to artists, nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in order to strengthen access to arts programming and encourage public participation in the arts. This specific grant program is part of the Commission’s broader commitment to arts education and outreach, with a strong emphasis on equitable access for underserved, under-resourced, and under-represented communities across the state. The primary purpose of the Lifelong Learning Grants program is to support structured, high-quality arts learning opportunities for individuals of all ages, including students, educators, youth, and adult learners. These programs are designed to provide hands-on, sequential instruction that builds artistic skills over time, rather than offering one-time exposure experiences. The program supports a wide range of artistic disciplines, including dance, music, theater, literary arts, visual arts, media arts, and traditional or folk arts, ensuring flexibility in program design while maintaining a focus on measurable educational outcomes. Funding is intended to support multi-session arts learning programs that include clearly defined objectives, outcomes, and evaluation methods. Applicants must demonstrate how participants will develop artistic skills and how success will be measured. Grant funds may be used for teaching artist fees, which must account for at least half of the total project budget, as well as administrative costs directly tied to the project, materials and supplies, and necessary travel expenses. All programming must take place in Virginia in ADA-compliant facilities, and virtual programming is explicitly not allowed under this funding opportunity. Eligible applicants include Virginia-based nonprofit organizations with federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, federally tax-exempt schools such as public, charter, private, and alternative schools, and units of local or tribal government including libraries, parks and recreation departments, and correctional facilities. Applicants must meet the Commission’s general eligibility requirements, including compliance with federal civil rights laws, maintaining good standing with reporting obligations, and not being under suspension or debarment from federal funding. Organizations receiving certain other Commission grants during the same fiscal year are not eligible to apply for this program. The application process is conducted through the Commission’s online grants system and requires submission of a complete application at least four weeks prior to the start of the proposed activities. Required materials include a project budget form, certification of assurances, a Virginia W-9 form, and a detailed residency or workshop lesson plan. Additional documentation may be required depending on the selection of teaching artists, including resumes, letters of reference, and artistic work samples. Applications are reviewed by Commission staff for completeness and eligibility, with priority given to programs that demonstrate strong impact for underserved populations. The grant operates on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis within two defined application cycles each fiscal year. Cycle one opens on July 1 and closes on December 1, supporting activities that occur between August 1 and June 15 of the following year. Cycle two opens on January 1 and closes on May 1, supporting activities that occur between February 1 and June 15. Award decisions are typically communicated approximately two weeks after submission of a complete application. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis after completion of the project and submission of a final report. Evaluation of applications is based on three primary criteria: lifelong learning impact, artistic excellence, and accessibility impact. Applicants must demonstrate intentional strategies for reaching underserved populations, provide evidence of the teaching artist’s qualifications and ability to deliver high-quality programming, and show how their project increases access to arts education. Final reports are required within 30 days of project completion and must include documentation such as receipts, narrative summaries, and visual evidence of program activities. This grant is offered annually as part of the Commission’s recurring funding programs, supporting ongoing investment in arts education throughout Virginia.

Focus on clearly defined learning objectives and measurable outcomes; prioritize underserved populations; ensure teaching artist qualifications are well documented